Budgie growling..

[elysianblight]

What does it sound like when a budge growls at you?  I think Citrine has been growling at me, but I'm not completely sure.. 
I've heard him "hiss" at Cypress before, but this was different. 

I'll try to keep it short.. 
I had to "catch" the boys to put them in their cage on Wednesday because they were being completely ridiculous teenagers, disrupting me at work, and none of my usual tricks to get them back in were even remotely working. 
I do try really hard to avoid ever doing this - but the few times I have had to do it I've apologized and they have forgiven me rather easily..
This time they do not seem to be very forgiving. That evening they were turning their backs and did not want to play with me  

The next morning when greeting them and changing water, I heard this faint little "raspy" noise come from Citrine. It was a singular noise, not repetitive. Still, I was afraid it was something respiratory so I held him up by my hear.. I couldn't make out any squeaking or clicking. He was not panting.. he is still eating and pooping well..  no problems flying.. and the noise didn't seem to be frequent. But obviously holding him up to my ear caked him off even more. 

He did the raspy noise again this morning, and then I heard it once this afternoon. It's very soft, I only hear it when I am right there by the cage - but I DONT hear it if I hold him by my ear. 
I am watching him closely but don't want to worry too soon since there are absolutely no other symptoms. 
I'm starting to suspect he is actually growling at me? 

Does an irritated/angry budgie sometimes make a faint little buzz/rasp in the back of their throat? 

[samwiseg]

Well this could be several things elysianblight, either a respiratory infection or sinus infection or something that is really quite sweet and he is purring!

Yes, birds do "purr" and do this when either angry with another bird or when they are VERY happy and content.

My Nubby does this little "raspy" noise before bed time, I mimick it and he responds!

If you can get a video recording of it (I know almost IMPOSSIBLE sometimes!) We may be able to diagnose further.

Do you notice it after any stress or exercise? As that is when it could be an infection.

Hope that helps!

[samwiseg]

Just had to share this (obviously budgies dont purr this loud) but its the ending that made me laugh!!!

[elysianblight]

I will definitely try to get a video if he does it again today!
I spent a lot of time buttering him up last night so maybe he will be nicer

And no, haven't heard it after a fly..always stationary in the cage. Thats why I'm not really 'worried' yet.. but If it gets any more frequent at all I'll call the vet.
He was flying around a lot last night and seemed fine after the exercise.

To be honest if his cere wasnt such a dark purple I'd think he was a girl based on his personality, maybe he is being a territorial snot?

I guess it could be content or sleepy but I'd never heard it before and he's definitely been giving me the side eye for the past two days lol

EDIT: Actually I just remembered before he started acting like this, he was chasing Cypress off my hand/shoulder and not letting him get his treats, so I kept putting Citrine back on his stand and telling him no!
I have never told him no much before -_-

[birdguhl]

This relates to an issue I was wondering about. Can budgies really tell the difference between male and female humans? Why would they have evolved an ability to do this? It was Marianne saying that one of her hens was giving her hubby the eye that made me first think of it.

[Deleted]

Bird behaviour fascinates me, I found this which explains about budgie/parakeet behaviour & communication, including the growling sound.

[elysianblight]

Didn't hear any sound when I woke him up this morning so who knows

I'll keep you updated if it turns out to be anything other than brattiness lol
He is definitely acting sweeter.. came over to see me a minute ago. Can a budgie hold a grudge for TWO DAYS?   This is worse than a kid. 

Cal, I read about budgie growling before but I assumed that was what he does when he is caked at his brother.. when he does that he pulls his head back, opens his beak, and makes a throaty growl/hiss. 
This was fainter, closed-beak, and didn't involve any posturing other than the fact that he was turned away from me instead of coming to greet me. 

So subtle and weird, these birdies. 

[samwiseg]

Aug 22, 2020 11:49:12 GMT birdguhl said:

This relates to an issue I was wondering about. Can budgies really tell the difference between male and female humans? Why would they have evolved an ability to do this? It was Marianne saying that one of her hens was giving her hubby the eye that made me first think of it.

Well I think they can because of a chat we had with a guy who worked for a bird of prey sanctuary.

He said, that being male he had to be careful around female falcons because they would get very aggressive towards him when it came to the mating season.

And this applied to our hen bird as she would iften get "bitey" with the OH!

So in my limited knowledge/experience I would say yes

[birdguhl]

Interesting, samwiseg - thanks!

I think this is an intriguing issue. I could imagine prey animals evolving to distinguish between the male and female of predator species if the distinction had some survival value e.g. if likelihood or form of attack.

But when it comes to mating behaviour it seems harder to understand. And on what basis are they differentiating male and female humans - appearance (surely not), smell (didn't think they do smells much) or what??? Any biologists out there able to illuminate us?

[Deleted]

This might interest you birdguhl, @samwiseg & elysianblight

www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/83451175_Bernice_M_Wenzel

Current research - you can download a PDF (on request) of the research papers.
www.researchgate.net/publication/44619132_Pheromones_in_birds_Myth_or_reality

My daughter 8-|has a biology degree & said that "Perhaps, birds, especially the larger prey animals, can possibly identify the sex of a predatory bird by its pheromones & thereby determine the likelihood of attack, though this is still being researched. This would be apparent in, say, a bird of prey having chicks to feed, the female hunting for example."

[birdguhl]

Thanks, @cal - and your daughter - very interesting!